You don’t want to take a risk, especially if you’re sending your kids across the country. So, we’re going to show you how you can find safe summer camps for your kids.

Look for ACA Accreditation

The American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation should be considered essential. Anyone can setup a camp and start advertising. But ACA accreditation ensure that the camp meets 300 different health, safety, and quality standards.

ACA inspectors review accredited camps on a semi-regular basis, so you know that the camp is of a minimum quality before you continue your research.

Ask About the Camp Screening Process

Every member of staff at the camp, even if they’re only volunteers, should be rigorously screened. A check on a person’s criminal history is important. But what’s more important is that every member of staff has been checked against the National Sex Offender Registry.

You can also check the names of camp staff yourself using this free service provided by the Department of Justice.

When your children are away for weeks at a time, you want them to be away with confidence.

Enquire About Supervision Guidelines

Supervision guidelines are important for keeping children safe. They’re far more formal than they used to be. They dictate how children should be supervised and how they should be protected.

Many camps use the ‘Rule of Three’. This means two staff members and one child, or two children and one staff member can be together at the same time. Children should never be alone with adult staff members or left unsupervised.

Camps have more specific guidelines as well, so it’s wise to enquire into these.

Have There Been Any Incidents?

It’s not difficult to find out if there have been serious issues at a camp before. Camps tend to be open and transparent about these matters.

Furthermore, you can also talk to the parents of older campers and ask for information.

Remember, though, it’s not about incidents it’s about who was at fault and how the camp addressed said problems.

Review the Camp Safety Guidelines

The fact is that even the best camp in the world can experience problems. Safety also relies on children following the safety guidelines to the best of their abilities.

Make sure you go through the safety guidelines with your child prior to them attending camp. If they don’t remain compliant, there’s only so much a camp can do to keep your children safe.

Last Word – Keeping Your Kids Safe

The key to keeping your children safe is to do your research first. Diligent parents start looking into camps a year before their children are due to attend.

Start early and you can make sure that your kids are having fun in a safe and secure environment.

About Author

LaDonna Dennis is the founder and creator of Mom Blog Society. She wears many hats. She is a Homemaker*Blogger*Crafter*Reader*Pinner*Friend*Animal Lover* Former writer of Frost Illustrated and, Cancer...SURVIVOR! LaDonna is happily married to the love of her life, the mother of 3 grown children and "Grams" to 3 grandchildren. She adores animals and has four furbabies: Makia ( a German Shepherd, whose mission in life is to be her attached to her hip) and Hachie, (an OCD Alaskan Malamute, and Akia (An Alaskan Malamute) who is just sweet as can be. And Sassy, a four-month-old German Shepherd who has quickly stolen her heart and become the most precious fur baby of all times. Aside from the humans in her life, LaDonna's fur babies are her world.